I haven't stayed there but this link will show you where the El Ksar is - it's the 8th hotel down from the top between the Hill Diar and Tour Khalef, so quite a walk down to the medina, train and metro stations, etc. but taxis etc. are cheap if you don't fancy shanks' pony.
http://img41.exs.cx/img41/3136/soussekaartgroot6bs.jpg

I've just had a look at reviews on Trip Advisor via alpharooms and they look quite good:
http://www.alpharooms.com/hotel_karthago_el_ksar_in_sousse-tareviews.aspx

Thanks for the prompt reply....I saw the hotel on the Thomas Cook tv channel and it did look lovely...however I think its a bit far out......
Open to suggestions having never been to Tunisa before....maybe Hammamet would be better....we like somewhere with a bit of life

I can't give you any advice on Hammamet as I've only been there for a few hours and Sousse is my area (at least twice a year for nearly 10 years) but I know there are many people who prefer Hammamet and I'm sure they will be able help. Sousse is a real working town with the same lovely beaches as all Tunisia. One of its advantages is that as well as some good hotels there is good transport links to other parts of the country, with trains, metro and buses if you fancy exploring a bit by yourself. Most of the entertainment in Tunisia is based on the hotels but there are also cafes, bars and nightclubs in most areas, although it doesn't have a big drinking culture like some parts of Europe. Ignore any reference to the Casino Caraibe in Sousse, which many brochures mention. They omit to say that it has been closed down as a casino for many years since the manager absconded with the takings, or so I was informed. Wherever you decide remember that transport is cheap, though you do need to 'negotiate' with taxi drivers.

Hi,

I'm a big fan of Hammamet and have been several times over the last few years.

Out of season it does tend to be fairly quiet, which you may want to bear in mind as you mention you are planning on going at the end of the year. (Although New Year is classed as high season and is quite busy for a few days). That said, you will find many restaurants, tea salons, bars / disco bars open, although in my experience if the latter fill up it isn't till very late.

Where you choose to stay depends on what you want out of your hotel, as as Aslemma pointed out taxis are cheap, so getting around won't be a problem.

Yasmine Hammamet is a purpose built resort (to Hammamet what PEK is to Sousse). Much as I dislike purpose built resorts, and personally prefer 'Hammamet proper', it has been well done and the advantage is that the hotels are all new and if you're looking for the wow factor you'll find it here. Out of season Yasmine is very quiet - if you want somewhere with a little life and like the look of Yasmine, pick one of the hotels that are more central and near the seafront such as the Saphir Palace or El Mouradi Hammamet as they seemed a little busier.

South Hammamet, where you'll find hotels such as the Bel Air and Club Venus is where you'll find a large number of bars and disco bars. A popular choice is Shakespeare's which is run by an English / Tunisian couple. However, as you were looking at the Karthago El Ksar, I'm not sure you'll find the sort of hotel you want here. I may be wrong, but none come to mind. It may be more a place to go in the evening rather than somewhere to stay.

In central Hammamet the following hotels may be worth looking at:

Aziza - recently refurbished and a short taxi ride into the centre of town.
Dar Hayet - Very central, about a 5 min walk from the Medina. More of a boutiquey style hotel. I can't personally vouch for this hotel though as I've never stayed there or visited it. Maybe someone else could help with this.
Phenicia - Refurbished a few years ago. All Inc option. About 10 - 15 mins walk to several restaurants, shops etc
Riu Palace Hammamet Marhaba - Brand new hotel, round the corner from the Phenicia. Just about walkable to South Hammamet or a short taxi ride. Opened last year and I've already heard lots of good things about it!

Hope all this is of some help.

A.

thanks Sunstruck....some really good advice there
As I said we would like somewhere with a bit more life I like the sound of Hammamet but you say it may be to quiet out of season....when does the season end in Tunisia.....We were originally thinking of Nov as we plan to do Vegas in Sept however we could juggle around and possibly do Tunisia at end Aug beginning Sept and then do Vegas end Oct beginning Nov

I think the summer season, at least as far as the tour operators go, ends sometime in October. I was there mid Oct last year and it still seemed fairly busy in Hammamet, although Yasmine seemed very quiet. Though this may have been down to the unusally dodgy weather - usually October is lovely but last year really wasn't!

I stayed at the Royal Azur - part of a 3 hotel complex - and although not at full capacity, there were plenty of other people staying here. I didn't include it in the list as, for the moment I think you can get better, as all 3 hotels are crying out for refurbishment. And they're due to get it - possibly because of this standards seem to have slipped a little. But if you don't mind staying somewhere a little dated it does still have a lot to recommend it. The biggest draw is the Thalassotherapy spa centre. And you can walk into town from here - either along the road or the beach.

If you were thinking of November you may also want to consider the weather. It will certainly be a lot nicer than the UK, but November can be a bit unpredictable and although you have a beautiful hot week, sunbathing weather can't be guaranteed - at least not for every day.

The end of Aug / beginning Sept this year is towards the end of Ramadan. This can be an interesting time to travel, but again could make it quieter and there may be some restrictions during the day on food and drink, shopping etc, outside the hotels. I've not been in Tunisia during Ramadan, so maybe someone else could fill you in a bit more. Ramadan this year is due to end on or around Sept 10th so you may be better off delaying you trip till after then, if you can.

A.

I've been to Morrocco during ramadam so I imagine its much the same

thanks for the advice re- the weather